Guerrero, Blue Jays rout Rangers
All-star Game MVP hits two homers to lead Toronto’s offense
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed up his breakout All-star Game with two homers, and the Toronto Blue Jays powered past the Texas Rangers 10-2 on Friday night.
All-stars Teoscar Hernandez and Marcus Semien homered for Toronto along with Randal Grichuk, and Robbie Ray held Texas scoreless over 6 2⁄3 innings.
Guerrero, named the All-star MVP on Tuesday night, connected off Texas starter Jordan Lyles in the first inning to make it 1-0 and added a three-run blast in the sixth against Dennis Santana, his 30th of the season. That lead to chants of “M-V-P!” from the crowd of 10,100 as the Blue Jays opened their final stretch of games in their temporary Buffalo home. The team received approval from the Canadian government on Friday to return to Toronto for the homestand that begins July 30.
Phillies 5-0, Marlins 2-7: Jesus Aguilar homered and drove in four runs, Starling Marte went deep with three RBIS, and Miami beat Philadelphia 7-0 to split a doubleheader. Jordan Holloway (2-2), recalled from Triple-a Jacksonville on Friday as the 27th man, didn’t allow a hit in five innings of relief after Ross Detwiler opened with a scoreless first. Holloway stuck out six and walked two. Richard Bleier completed the two-hitter with a scoreless seventh. In the opener, Travis Jankowski drove in four runs and Matt Moore struck out nine while pitching into the fifth inning to lead the Phillies to a 5-2 win.
Brewers 11, Reds 6: Willie Adames homered and drove in four runs as Milwaukee rallied to beat Cincinnati. Adames had a two-run shot in the fifth inning and then doubled home two more in a five-run eighth.
Astros 7, White Sox 1: Lance Mccullers Jr. pitched seven sparkling innings, and Houston beat Chicago in the opener of a weekend series between AL division leaders. Michael Brantley homered and Myles Straw drove in three runs as the Astros improved to a big league-best 43-22 against teams with a .500 or better record.
Rays 7, Braves 6 (10): Austin Meadows hit a single in the 10th-inning to score Brett Phillips from second base with the tiebreaking run, and Tampa Bay beat Atlanta. With Phillips opening the 10th on second base, right-hander Jesse Chavez (0-2) walked Brandon Lowe before recording two outs. Chavez then gave up Meadows’ go-ahead single to right field, as Phillips slid across the plate and beat Abraham Almonte’s throw.
Royals 9, Orioles 2: Nicky Lopez drove in four runs to lead Kansas City to a victory over Baltimore.
Padres 24, Nationals 8: Jake Cronenworth hit for his first career cycle, Wil Myers had two homers including a grand slam, and San Diego blew out Washington.
COVID: Rockies manager Bud Black, first base coach Ron Gideon and four players were not available for Colorado’s home game Friday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Righthanders Antonio Senzatela, Yency Almonte and Jhoulys Chacin and outfielder Yonathan Daza were added to the COVID-19 IL.
Notes: The Tigers and Twins’ doubleheader scheduled for Friday was postponed due to rain. The first game will be made up as part of a split doubleheader on Saturday, with the second game being made up as an afternoon game on Monday, Aug. 30. ... Drew Robinson, the San Francisco Giants minor leaguer who survived a suicide attempt last year that took his right eye and has been outspoken about his ordeal and positive strides, announced he is retiring and will join the club’s front office as a mental health advocate . ... The Padres placed rookie left-hander Ryan Weathers on the 10-day injured list with right ankle inflammation . ... Nationals infielder Starlin Castro was placed on administrative leave by MLB under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy.